Nigel Bowen Chambers has 18 practising full-time barristers and 1 reader. The chambers was founded in 1991.

The Members of Nigel Bowen Chambers practise in all Courts and Tribunals and in most areas of law, although specialise particularly in Intellectual Property, Commercial Law and Equity, Defamation and Media Law, Construction Law, Environmental and Planning Law, and Public Law.

Nine members of Chambers are senior counsel. The other members range in seniority from new barristers to experienced senior juniors. We have a reader’s room and our readers usually stay with us for 6 months or a year, usually reading with a member of Chambers, and appearing frequently with other members.

Nigel Bowen Chambers was named in honour of Sir Nigel Bowen - an eminent Australian Barrister, Attorney-General and Judge.

Between 1936 and 1964 he practised as an advocate specializing in commercial equity and intellectual property matters, developing an Australia-wide practice before he was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1953, elected to the Federal Parliament in 1964 and appointed Federal Attorney-General in 1966.

It was in that capacity that he introduced and played a large personal role in shaping the landmark Copyright Act 1968 and initiated the process that led to the passing of the equally progressive Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977. During this time he set up and administered the enquiry which led to the establishment of the Federal Court, and also served as Minister for Education and Science and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

In 1973 he was appointed the Chief Judge in Equity of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and in 1976 he was appointed the founding Chief Judge – later Chief Justice – of the Federal Court; the establishment of which owed so much to his efforts while Attorney-General.

In 1990 Sir Nigel retired as one of the most respected Australian jurists of the second half of the twentieth century, and we soon after asked his permission to allow us to name our Chambers after him. He graciously consented and was present when we first opened our doors in 1991.

Readers Policy

Nigel Bowen Chambers provides accommodation for one reader. The usual period of occupation is 12 months beginning in about May of each year, at the end of the first Bar Practice Course of the year. The successful applicant will read with one member of Nigel Bowen Chambers and usually with a second tutor from other chambers. The Senior Clerk, Alistair Coyne, can assist a successful applicant in finding a tutor in the Chambers.

Applications for the reader’s room should be made by 31 May of the year before the reader proposes to commence. Applicants may be called for informal interviews and meetings with members of chambers in June and the successful applicant will usually be informed of their appointment by the end of that month.

An application should include a detailed CV indicating the reader’s academic qualifications, legal experience and any other relevant work experience. Applications and general enquiries should be directed to the Senior Clerk, a.coyne@nigelbowen.com.au

In exceptional circumstances an application may be considered at other times during the year. Again, enquiries should be directed to the Senior Clerk.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

Nigel Bowen Chambers provides accommodation for one reader. The usual period of occupation is 12 months beginning in May of each year, at the end of the first Bar Practice Course of the year. The successful applicant will read with one member of Nigel Bowen Chambers and usually with a second tutor from other chambers. The Senior Clerk, Alistair Coyne, can assist a successful applicant in finding a tutor in the Chambers.

Applications for the reader’s room should be made by end of February of the preceding year before the reader proposes to commence in May the following year. For example, applications will be accepted by end February 2017 for May 2018. Applicants may be called for informal interviews and meetings with members of chambers in March of the preceding year and the successful applicant will usually be informed of their appointment shortly thereafter.

An application should include a detailed CV indicating the reader's academic qualifications, legal experience and any other relevant work experience. Applications and general enquiries should be directed to the Senior Clerk, a.coyne@nigelbowen.com.au

In exceptional circumstances, an application may be considered at other times during the year. Again, enquiries should be directed to the Senior Clerk.

David was admitted to the Bar in 1978 and appointed Senior Counsel in 1991.

David specialises in Intellectual Property and has appeared in many of the most significant Intellectual Property cases in the High Court and Federal Court over the past twenty years.

David practises in patents, copyright, registered designs, trade marks (including passing off and misleading conduct) and breach of confidence and appears principally in the Federal Court of Australia (including Full Courts) in each State and is admitted to practice in New Zealand.

David also appears in Administrative Law, including refugee cases.

David is the author of numerous papers presented to prominent IP societies (including IPSANZ and Copyright Society of Australia) and is Consulting Editor of Federal Court Reports in Australia.

The major part of Peter’s work is in the construction industry (building and engineering) and general commercial matters. Other areas in which he has significant involvement are disciplinary aspects of the racing industries, administrative law, personal injuries and industrial law.

As an arbitrator and a Supreme Court and District Court Referee, Peter has conducted numerous hearings in construction law matters and he also practices as a mediator. Peter regularly gives educational and training presentations for the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia, the NSW Bar Association and other bodies (e.g. “Roles and Responsibilities of Lawyers in Mediation” (2007) 26 The Arbitrator & Mediator 39).

His work in the Defence Force involved, in particular, judicial roles in over 60 trials and acting as Counsel assisting in, and as President of, Boards of Inquiry.

Michael was admitted to the Bar in 1982 and appointed Senior Counsel in 1998.

Michael intially practised in general commercial litigation and has since specialised almost exclusively in building and construction law.

Michael’s practice most often involves large construction litigation for both principals and builders (including their insurers), and he is regularly briefed in Civil Works claims. While the majority of Michael’s cases are heard in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, he has also conducted cases in Victoria and Queensland.

Michael is regularly appointed as a referee in building disputes by the Supreme Court and District Court of New South Wales, and as a Grade 1 Arbitrator he has conducted numerous arbitrations, mediations and expert determinations throughout his career. He is also an accredited adjudicator for the purposes of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act.

He regularly presents papers to industry groups in relation to the building and construction industry, and in particular, to the Institute of Arbitrators.
Dowload full CV as .pdf

Stephen was admitted to the Bar in 1982 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2000. Stephen practises predominately in commercial law with a particular focus on company and insolvency law.

Stephen has extensive experience, appearing frequently at first instance and on appeal in both the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Federal Court of Australia. Some cases of note include Trident General Insurance v McNiece Bros (privity of contract/insurance); Pavey & Mathews v Paul (restitution/construction law); APRA v Jain (copyright infringement); Citibank v Papandony (cheques and bills of exchange/banking law);

Ron was admitted to the Bar in New South Wales in 1988 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2002.

He has appeared at first instance in the Supreme Courts of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and the Federal Court (sitting in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane) as well as in appeals to the New South Wales Court of Appeal, the Full Court of the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia. Ron has also appeared as Senior Counsel in a number of significant commercial, constitutional and administrative law cases in PNG.

Ron has also appeared in international and domestic arbitrations and in references by the courts to experts both commercial and technical, as well as in hearings in the patent office, the trade marks office and the copyright tribunal.

Ron’s primary expertise is in intellectual property. Additionally he has extensive experience in commercial law, with a particular emphasis on major resource projects and commodity contracts, in administrative law and competition law and consumer law.

Chris was admitted to the Bar in 1984 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2005.

Chris has been approved by the Bar Council as a BarADR arbitrator with the NSW Bar Association.

Chris has extensive experience as a specialist in Corporations Law (including insolvency), Commercial Law (including the Technology and Construction and Professional Negligence Lists), Trade Practices, Equity and Probate and Succession Law.

Chris appears regularly in the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of NSW. He also appears in the Supreme Courts of Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. He has an extensive appellate practice, appearing in each of the New South Wales Court of Appeal, the Full Court of the Federal Court and the High Court.

He has significant experience in arbitrations and references in commercial and construction disputes, as well as mediations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Richard was admitted as a Barrister in New South Wales and the High Court in 1992, and appointed Senior Counsel in NSW in 2005. He is also admitted in Victoria.

Richard practises primarily in the area of intellectual property, including copyright, trade marks, patents, confidential information, passing-off and related trade names and consumer protection law, with a particular focus on matters concerning the music business and entertainment law, regularly appearing in the Federal Court of Australia (both at first instance and on appeal) and the Copyright Tribunal of Australia. He has also appeared in a number of leading intellectual property cases in the High Court of Australia.

He also practises in telecommunications, broadcasting and competition law, as well as in general commercial and equity matters.

Sophie was admitted to the Bar in 1991 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2007.

Sophie specialises in intellectual property, in all areas of patents, trade marks, copyright, breach of confidence and the law of trade secrets, industrial designs, passing off and related misleading conduct and consumer law. She has acted on behalf of both Australian and International clients in litigation concerning mining, pharmaceutical and engineering patents. She has also appeared in competition law and administrative law matters.

Sophie has extensive experience as a trial lawyer and an appellate advocate and appears regularly in the Federal Court. She has also appeared in the NSW Supreme Court. Sophie has also appeared in a number of leading intellectual property cases in the High Court of Australia.

Specialising in environmental and planning law, commercial law and administrative law, Patrick Larkin has over twenty years experience conducting cases of considerable economic, environmental and social significance. Patrick principally practices in the Court of Appeal, the Land & Environment Court, the Supreme Court and the Federal Court, where he has appeared in numerous cases of note.

With qualifications in both law and science, Patrick’s work often involves the critical analysis and testing of complex evidence, including expert evidence in engineering, planning, economics and diverse fields of science.

He is also the Chair of several disciplinary and sporting tribunals and has served for an extended period on the board of a government agency.

He appears most frequently in the Federal Court, Supreme Court and Land & Environment Court, and before the Patents and Trade Marks Office.

Michael Hall has also worked as a solicitor, as in-house counsel for the BBC World Service and as a university law lecturer. He is the co-author of Trade Mark Law in Australia and of the Annotated Trade Marks Act, and between 2001 and 2007 he lectured in intellectual property law, land law and the law of trusts at Oxford University.

Christian commenced his practice at the Bar in 2001 and has been a member of Nigel Bowen Chambers since that time. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2014.

Christian specialises in intellectual property law, including patent, copyright and trade mark matters. He regularly appears in the Federal Court of Australia, both at first instance and on appeal, and has appeared in a number of leading intellectual property cases in the High Court of Australia. He also appears in the Australian Patent Office, the Copyright Tribunal of Australia, the Australian Trade Marks Office and other relevant administrative tribunals.

Christian was previously a solicitor and a registered patent attorney. He holds tertiary qualifications in science and law and completed a research year in the field of synthetic organic chemistry.

David practises in all areas of commercial law with a particular focus on banking, insolvency and building and construction. He has appeared in Courts and tribunals at all levels, both in NSW and Interstate.

David was junior counsel assisting the Inquiry into the Centenary House Lease (conducted by David Hunt AO QC) in 2004 and has also lectured in Federal Constitutional Law at the University of New South Wales.

Hamish was admitted to the Bar in 2006 and has since developed a diverse practice.

In addition to commercial law and equity (including breach of confidence), Hamish specialises in all areas of intellectual property: trade marks, copyright, patents and designs, as well as passing off and related consumer law.

Hamish appears in the Federal Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (formerly the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia), as well as in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and at hearings before IP Australia.

Admitted to the Bar in 2008, following 16 years practising as a litigation solicitor at Allens, Justine has over 20 years litigation experience. Her main areas of practice are intellectual property (including copyright, trade marks, patents, passing off and confidential information), trade practices, consumer law, equity and commercial law.

Justine has appeared primarily in the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of NSW and has also appeared in the High Court, the Federal Circuit Court, the Copyright Tribunal of Australia, the Trade Marks Office and other administrative tribunals. A brief CV is attached.

Gabriella was called to the Bar in 2010 and admitted to legal practice in 2003. Gabriella’s primary areas of practice are intellectual property, media, consumer protection, breach of confidence, banking and constitutional law.

Gabriella holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree from the University of New South Wales.

Gabriella has advised and appeared in a number of significant cases in her areas of expertise. She is regularly briefed in proceedings before IP Australia and appears at trial and appellate level in all Australian jurisdictions, including the High Court.

Chris was admitted to the Bar in 2010 and has developed a specialist practice in intellectual property law. Prior to coming to the Bar, Chris was a solicitor at a top-tier national law firm. He has also served as Associate to the Hon Justice Gummow AC (High Court of Australia) and the Hon Justice Bennett AO (Federal Court of Australia). He is recognized as one of Australia’s leading IP barristers (Doyle’s Guide, 2016) and one of “Australia’s Best Lawyers” (Financial Review, 2016).

Chris advises and appears in all kinds of intellectual property proceedings, including patent infringement and revocation proceedings, trade mark, copyright and design litigation and appeals and opposition proceedings before the Patent and Trade Mark Offices. Examples of significant cases in which he has been briefed include the Apple v Samsung smart phone/tablet patent litigation, the High Court appeal in Roadshow v iiNet regarding ISPs and copyright infringement by authorization, the application by Dallas Buyers Club for preliminary discovery to identify ISP account holders and the first Australian piracy website blocking (s 115A) injunction proceedings. Outside of work, Chris is a passionate fly fisherman and traveller who likes to combine the two by visiting out of the way places to go fishing.

Laura has a broad commercial practice with a focus on intellectual property and trade practices.

Admitted to the Bar in 2011, Laura has experience in the New South Wales Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Australia, the New South Wales Supreme Court, Land and Environment Court, Federal Circuit Court, Coroner’s Court and the Australian Trade Marks Office.

Laura has degrees in Biochemistry and Law from the University of Sydney and a Master of Laws from Harvard.

Before commencing practice at the Bar, Laura was Associate to the Hon. Michael Black, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, then a solicitor at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. She was also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Sydney Law School and a researcher for Human Rights Watch, based in New York.

Laura is a director of Human Rights Watch Australia and a member of the Australia Committee for Human Rights Watch.

Edwina was called to the bar in 2014 and her practice focuses on intellectual property and consumer law, as well as general commercial, construction and environmental and planning law. Edwina has advised and appeared for leading brands in relation to their intellectual property rights, including Moroccanoil, Nespresso and Revlon.

Edwina has litigation experience in all major Australian courts, including in the Federal Court of Australia, High Court of Australia, the Supreme Court, District and Local Court of NSW. Edwina has also appeared before NCAT and in trade mark opposition proceedings at IP Australia.

Prior to the bar, Edwina was a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution team at King & Wood Mallesons, focusing on trade marks, copyright, designs, media law, misleading and deceptive conduct and passing off. Edwina was involved in leading Federal Court litigation, such as the iconic Bodum Chambord coffee plunger case and the High Court constitutional challenge to Australia’s tobacco plain packaging legislation.

Edwina graduated from Sydney University with first class honours in law and was admitted to practice in 2008.

Sir Robin first started practising at the Intellectual Property Bar in 1967 before taking up the role of Junior Counsel for the Comptroller of Patents and for Government departments in intellectual property in 1976, which he held until he was appointed Queens Counsel in 1981.

Sir Robin’s practice then took him abroad to practise in Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe, the USA and Australia before being appointed to the bench in 1993. From 1997 to 2001 he was Supervising Chancery Judge for Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff and was appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal in October 2003.

He formally retired from that Court (though hopes to sit from time to time) to take up the Hugh Laddie Chair of Intellectual Property Law at University College London. He also sits as an arbitrator and mediator.

Sir Robin is President of the Intellectual Property Institute, Governor of the London School of Economics, Hon. President of the UK branch of the Licensing Executive Society, and Hon. President of the Association of Law Teachers. He has written extensively on all forms of intellectual property and often lectures, mainly on IP topics, both in the UK and abroad.

Alistair Coyne is responsible for the provision of clerking services to Chambers and for building and maintaining Chambers’ strong client relationships.

His achievements over 30 years in offering exceptional clerking services have seen Alistair recognised in legal directories (such as Legal 500) as having “his finger on the pulse” and running “a tight ship”.

Alistair can assist with enquiries relating to all members’ practice areas, including diary management, fee rates and administration. He is a committee member of the NSW Barristers’ Clerks Association.